Jul 30, 2024 12:08 am
Knowing the boss ahead of time depends on the story behind the one-shot to me.
As you said, with this one we knew who we were fighting because we knew who kidnapped the Princess. A King would reasonably want to get his daughter back, so choosing warriors who had an advantage against the known foe makes narrative sense.
If a one-shot involves tracking down a shadowy cult-leader that no one is sure if they've ever seen (think early Season 6 of The Walking Dead -- "I'm Negan." Rick, having never seen the leader of the Saviors, honestly thought they had killed Negan because a man had claimed to be him) players should be blindsided by the boss.
I'd say let the fight play out. If, by luck or by planning, PCs are in a position to stomp out the BBEG I think letting it happen is best. If the fight is unrewarding, let that be a lesson for the players that optimizing isn't always best.
As you said, with this one we knew who we were fighting because we knew who kidnapped the Princess. A King would reasonably want to get his daughter back, so choosing warriors who had an advantage against the known foe makes narrative sense.
If a one-shot involves tracking down a shadowy cult-leader that no one is sure if they've ever seen (think early Season 6 of The Walking Dead -- "I'm Negan." Rick, having never seen the leader of the Saviors, honestly thought they had killed Negan because a man had claimed to be him) players should be blindsided by the boss.
I'd say let the fight play out. If, by luck or by planning, PCs are in a position to stomp out the BBEG I think letting it happen is best. If the fight is unrewarding, let that be a lesson for the players that optimizing isn't always best.
Last edited July 30, 2024 12:10 am